How to Crate Train a Young Puppy

Training a Dog to Use a Kennel Essential for Housebreaking Success

Nov 18, 2008

Crate training a puppy is a natural and critical means for having a happy well adjusted dog that is housebroken and safe to leave in the home.

All dogs have a 'den' instinct, a desire to find comfort in small enclosed spaces. All canine species in the wild build dens in order to have shelter from the elements and safety from other predators. While all dogs have this den instinct it must be channeled in order for the dog to enjoy his crate or kennel. Crate training a dog and kennel training a dog is the means of teaching a dog to be comfortable and happy in his kennel. Follow these steps to crate train a dog:

Feed Your Dog in His CrateIt is important that your dog has a positive association with his crate. One way to accomplish this is by feeding your dog in the crate. It is not advisable to leave food in the crate but you can place the food dish in the crate with the dog for 15-20 minutes. When the time is up remove any leftover food and the dog. Eating in the crate will help to build a positive association with the kennel in general.

Don't Leave Items in Your Dog's Crate

Be careful to not leave things in a dog's crate. The natural tendency is to leave blankets, pillows, and toys. The danger in this is the while the puppy is left alone he could chew apart and swallow small pieces of the items left in his crate. There is a definite risk that the puppy could choke on something while the owner is gone and be injured or die.

It is also not recommended to leave a bed in the crate with a puppy. Puppies like to pee on absorbent material such as grass, dirt, and bedding left in the crate. By leaving bedding in your puppy's crate you may be inadvertently training the dog to urinate in the crate.

Gradually Build Your Puppy's Tolerance to the Crate

Don't leave your puppy in his crate for eight hours on the first day. It is important to slowly increase the amount of time your puppy is able to stay in his crate. The general rule of thumb is that you can leave a puppy alone in a crate for as many hours as his age in months plus one. That means that a two month old puppy can be left for three hours at a time in the crate, a three month puppy for four hours, and so on.

Some puppies can progress faster than this but be cautioned to not try to push the puppy faster than he is able.

Follow these steps for crate training a puppy or dog and you will have success in teaching your canine to enjoy his kennel.

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